CalFresh Employment and Training COVID-19 Response

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

The County of San Bernardino Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) provides mandatory CalFresh work registrants with access to the CalFresh Employment and Training program. This program offers customers assistance in obtaining a job, retaining a job for an extended period of time, and achieving self-sufficiency. Participants are assessed by TAD and the county’s Workforce Development Department (WDD) for participation in activities related to supervised job search, educational programs, and retention services. The offering of these services has become increasingly critical due to the onset of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent economic downturn. Due to the pandemic, administration of the program moved to a virtual platform to ensure the safety of customers, county employees, and surrounding communities. Despite the challenges of administering the program virtually and the uncertainties related to the pandemic, San Bernardino County has been able to provide uninterrupted service to customers. The County also expanded the initial pilot phase of Employment and Training (which included only select offices), to a countywide program. In 2020, 41% of Employment and Training registrants successfully completed the program and/or gained employment, with an additional 23% receiving targeted support to obtain a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED).